Rio Karma (Title Edit)

by **Ryan** » Thu May 06, 2004 12:23 pm

** This thread was previously known as 'Is this worth the hassle?" **

So, im looking for a new portable MP3 player.

I've pretty much settled on an iPod.. when I found this.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site//olspage.jsp?id=1056281016621&skuId=5720188&type=product

20 gb HDD, comes with a cradle, etc etc. Looks good, right?

$300 bucks. The same price as a 15gb iPod.

Its cradle has a Ethernet port on it.. so you can transfer music over the network instead of USB 1.1 / 2.0.

Although.. it has no remote, no case, nothing like that.

The downfall? The battery will die in 1 year, and its non-replaceable... however...

I could buy the Best Buy 2 year replacement plan, and when the battery dies, just turn it in. Hopefully, in a year from now, that one will not be available, and ill have $300 bucks towards a new MP3 player of my choice.

Thoughts?

by **Irish** » Thu May 06, 2004 12:37 pm

Your luck the battery lasts 2 years and a day.

by **JimmyTango** » Thu May 06, 2004 12:53 pm

I'd ge the ipod.

by **deathBOB** » Thu May 06, 2004 1:31 pm

Ipod...

by **Xenius** » Thu May 06, 2004 1:54 pm

I have a 15Gb ipod and love it.

by Conscious* » Thu May 06, 2004 2:16 pm

I'd get the IPod.

by **Optimus_Prime** » Thu May 06, 2004 2:26 pm

I found an 20 GB Ipod at my work and I love it

And yes get the BB PSP warranty, I used to work there and trust me...for stuff that your carrying in your hand or pocket is most likely to fall out on the ground or something hard thats for sure.

by **RCinator** » Thu May 06, 2004 2:47 pm

iPod and never look back.

by **residue** » Thu May 06, 2004 3:38 pm

i'm in the minority that doesn't swoon over the ipod. if they made it silver instead of white then it might be a different story. doesn't the user replaceable battery in it list for $99?

the karma? meh. $299 is expensive for 20gb.

by **Bossman** » Thu May 06, 2004 3:40 pm

Got the ipod....love it

by **Agent-Commando** » Thu May 06, 2004 3:47 pm

IPod...

by **Colonel Savage** » Thu May 06, 2004 5:51 pm

What kind of moronic manufacturer makes a non-replaceable battery in a high ticket item that will only last a year?

Go with the Ipod, man...

by **WDPsellout** » Thu May 06, 2004 5:55 pm

Ipod's are the shiz-nit

by **Bagginses** » Thu May 06, 2004 6:02 pm

Originally posted by residue
i'm in the minority that doesn't swoon over the ipod.

I'm going to be in the even smaller minority who doesn't own an MP3 player because they don't have as high quality as a CD.

-Bagginses

by **Ryan** » Tue May 11, 2004 2:35 am

Well.. went with the Karma after talking with a very reliable guy. (and after contradicting every single reply in this thread..) Hes a good friend, and I talked to him for about 30 minutes on the subject of MP3 players alone. Not to mention, did about 2 hours of research on it over the last few days.

And MAN! Im lovin the Karma!!! This thing is great!! Heres a small little review I posted on another website:

Well.. I just got hired onto a new job today.. so what way to celebrate than to spend a shitload of money on something small? The Rio Karma was it.

The Rio Karma is a 20gb MP3 player.. and it rivals the all-mighty iPod. I was looking to buy an iPod.. but the Karma had features I really couldn't pass up.

First.. the iPod usually connects to your computer via Firewire or USB 2.0. The Karma has USB 2.0, but it also has network connectivity! What a great idea! Just give it an IP, and use its web based interface to transfer music at network speeds. Granted, USB / FireWire is faster, this way is a lot more convienment for those who want to transfer music without having to install drivers.

Another cool feature is its 5 band EQ. iPod doesn't have one as powerful.

The Karma also has some very nice music management programs built in. You can sort songs not only by title, artist.. etc.. but you can also sort by most listened to, and it has an auto DJ based on genre of music! How cool is that?

Im looking foward to this new MP3 player.. although.. the cons...

It comes with a non-replaceable battery. In a year, the battery it comes with will die. The solution? Head on over to Best Buy when you buy this thing. Buy their 2 year replacement plan, and if ANYTHING goes wrong with it within 2 years, take it back for your money back, or for a new MP3 player. So.. when the battery dies, ill just take it back, and get the latest and greatest in MP3 players.

Other than that, I really haven't heard anything else degrading it, which is why I wen't with it.

A good buy indeed for those looking for music on the go.

The 15 gb iPod is $299, and doesn't come with any connectivity.

As for size..

Karma:
Weight 5.5 oz
Dimensions (W x D x H) 2.7 in x 3 in x 1.1 in

iPod (15gb):
Weight 5.6 oz
Dimensions (W x D x H) 2.4 in x 0.6 in x 4.1 in

Just a bit thicker, but just as wide, and 3 inches shorter.

Rio Karma (Title Edit)

Is this worth the hassle?

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